Do the risk factors have the same importance in men, women and different geographic settings?
The risk factors work similarly in men and women in different countries in terms of relative risk. However, absolute risk will vary since, at any given age, the absolute risk of fracture and absolute risk of death varies. In addition, risk factors have variable importance depending upon age (e.g. a family history), or on the presence or absence of other risk factors. For example, low BMI is much less of a risk factor when account is taken of BMD.
